Feedback: Readers not sold on idea of consolidating local governments

Oct. 27, 2013

Last week John Truscott suggested that the state cut the number of local governments in Michigan. Hereís what readers had to say:

John Truscottís commentary says ďjobs are being created and budgets are beginning to stabilize.Ē Really? Tell that to the people of Detroit and the school districts that have gone bankrupt. So now that Michigan is on the right track, according to Truscott, we should abandon local control of our cities and form regional governments to improve business and tourism.

If we want people to move here, we must have jobs for them. We donít have enough work for the people already living here.

Theresa Spear

Bloomfield Hills

Truscott makes such a good case for regional governance that he should take his case to the governor. Gov. Rick Snyder has paid lip service to consolidation of services for local governments, but he approved the construction of another water system for Flint and Genessee County despite an existing Detroit water system that isnít running at full capacity. Beside the burden of bonding an unneeded project in Flint as it teeters on the edge of bankruptcy, he sweetened the deal for counties by keeping the Detroit water pension liabilities with Detroit, where they can be wiped away through bankruptcy.

Dennis L. Green

Farmington Hills

The services provided by local governments are still needed, and consolidation will impact only administrative costs, which are a small part of most budgets. We should start with consolidating police services in metropolitan areas. We have a consolidated 911 system in Ingham County, but more policing agencies than you can count. The next logical step is in consolidating K-12 administrative and transportation services within the intermediate school districts.

Walt Sorg

Via Freep.com

Michigan has far more government than we can afford, and it leads to unnecessary duplication, turf wars and inefficiencies.

Gary Naeyaert

Via Freep.com

How can an ordinary citizen keep track of the events at the library board, city council, school board and the County Intermediate Building Authority Fund? They cannot possibly do this. Itís far better to have subcommittees in the legislative branch of a comprehensive local government with competent representatives in districts small enough to be responsive and large enough to be effective.